The goal for this build was a sub-7# low recoil, rust proof deer rig. My wife has that acidic sweat and never wipes guns down after using them. Tired of scrubbing rust, I decided to build one she couldn't ruin. 6.5 Grendel ballistics match well with the old .250 Savage. I hear that one works well on deer at the ranges she shoots. Total cost was slightly less than a Howa Mini sent out for nitriding. And as little as she shoots, I don't expect to ever even have to clean it!

Great looking rifle. That weight is amazing. I am totally uneducated on AR's. I have been considering a build as I have 9 and 6 year old daughters who wish to deer hunt some. I think the adjustability of an AR would be great for them. A couple questions. Is this an AR-15? I thought .223 was the only caliber choice for 15's. I was considering an AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor but I believe options on 10's for components are much more limited except for caliber choices.

It is an AR-15. I could switch this one to use .223 by replacing the bolt and barrel with ones for .223. There is a great variety of cartridges and specialty parts available to use in AR-15s these days. They go from rimfire to fifty caliber in factory rounds. You could build one weighing under four pounds if you wanted.

The big attraction to the 6.5 Grendel for me is the low recoil and the availability of cheap steel case ammo. Being able to assemble one myself fairly affordably isn't too bad, either. If you're looking for more power there is the 25 WSSM. ( http://www.dtechuppers.com/ar-15-wssm-u ... ivers.html )
Factory ammo is limited for the 25 WSSM, but WInchester does a run about once a year, I think.